Lisa Falls - Winter

Lisa falls is a fantastic short hike to a great waterfall running down a granite cliff face. It climbs up the hill pretty quickly, but at about a quarter of a mile it is a great hike for families to get some nature in and see a good waterfall.

To get here drive approximately 2.7 miles up the canyon from the electronic sign at the base of the canyon. The mile markers start quite a bit lower, so it is probably at about mile 6.7 or 6.8, if you hit mile marker 7 you went to far. There is a small parking lot on the left (north) side of the road that is not labeled. You will see a creek bed (which will likely be dry) on the lower end and the trail just a bit above that.

Last time we hiked here this creek bed was empty! I am guessing that the waterfall is going to be a bit more active since we are currently experiencing May like weather in February.

View up canyon.

I didn’t get a shot of the fait trailhead but it’s not too hard to miss at about the middle of the parking lot. Here is where the trail heads up into the woods.

The trail follows this creek bed. Last time, in the middle of summer it was bone dry, which made me worry the falls were going to be as well. My theory last time was this was the original path that got damned and diverted. Still possible, but now it appears to be an overflow path.

Also note the lack of snow. This is fairly high up the canyon and there is no evidence of snow on this north facing slope!

First glimpse of the falls.

Last time we were here I don’t think we could see the upper section of the falls. This weird winter-spring is showing early run off.

Splash! This picture didn’t quite capture it, but you can kind of see the pool here. Last time it wasn’t so pronounced so the water just flowed down to the left towards the other creek bed. Now it pools up high enough to go down the creek bed on the right.

The upper section.

I think I prefer this waterfall at this higher flow level.

The granite cliff face.

The trail, and creek down.

And the bottom again. At only .21 miles from the top is is easily less than a half a mile round trip. Quick and easy adventure to check out and very pretty!

Traffic coming down the canyon. (DBP Album)

Granite cliffs above. (DBP Album)

The view of the valley, and downtown below. (DBP Album)

Another shot of the traffic. This is worse than Octoberfest traffic! I guess everybody had the same idea: It feels like May! To the canyons!!! LOL. But it was still a fun adventurous day.

So quick and easy less than a half mile adventure with a great waterfall at the end. Going with 9 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it’s short enough that even though it is up I would say it is super easy! definitely a DR3.

Little Cottonwood Canyon is watershed, so dogs are not allowed.